The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-22
A sTUPENDoUs FRAUD.
How the Government Was Defrauded O
$4,000 on False Affidavits.

How the Government Was Defrauded of
$4,000 on False Afidavits.
Elmira Special to New York Tribune.
The announcement in the Tribune a week ago
that Francis Patterson, better known as blind"
Patterson, who had received back pension
amounting to $13, 322, would soon part with his
money has been verified. AS soon as Patterson
received his check several individuals became
interested in his behalf In the meantime a
legal movement was instituted to place Patter-
son and his money in the hands of guardian.
While proceedings were under way Patterson
and his wife and daughter fed from the State.
going to Troy Pa At Troy they were met by
DR.. Mills, who had taken a Northern Central
train at this station. From Troy they went to
Williamsport, where the certificate of deposit
of $4,000 the Second National Bank of Ell
mira was cashed and turned over to DR.. Mills.
be holding the power of attorney for the blind
pensioner. AS soon as the check of deposit came
to the Second National Bank for collection, Da-
vd Pratt, teller of the bank, who had been ap-
pointed guardian of Patterson, Immediately
made preparations for oyerhauling the parties.
At Remove. Pa, he found Patterson and his wife
and daughter. but Mills had gone on to Wash
ngtoE with nearly the entire amount of the
pension When iS became known that the Pat
tersons and DR.. Mills had fed from the city an
astounding state of affairs came to light in
nection with Patterson's pension. Wilkes Mil
Ter, well-known citizen. went before Justice
Catalan and made the following statement,
which he swore to as being the true facts in the
case:
Some six years ago, at the Pennsylvania
House, was induced by DR.. r. n. Mills and
John Mills to make an affidavit that Blind Pat
terson had sore eyes in the army. For making
this affidavit was to receive 500. At the same
time and place the same parties asked me to
impersonate another comrade, and 60 to some of
the surrounding towns where / was not kr own
and go before justice of tho peace and make
the same affidavit For this l was also to re-
ceive 800. I refused make this affidavit
Some time in March Mills again came to me and
requested me to make another affidavit similar
to the one / made six years age, relative to Pat
terson's sore eyes For this i to receive
ST. 900. in the pension was secured. made
the affidavit under the above promise. /
solemnly swear and testify that the said afida-
Wit was false in every particular"
Miller signed the above affidavit and Mr.. Gal
ALA Immediately certified to its genuineness.
and then sealed it and mailed it to the authori-
ties at Washington. It reached there on FRI
day, and word was received yesterday that q
government official would be on to give it his
Immediate attention. Miller says he is willing
to stand by his statement if he has to go with
the other parties to prison. He says they failed
to keep their promise. It now transpires that
Patterson's blindness was caused by disease, and
not by service in the army, and that the large
amount of pension received by him was secured
by fraud and the government will have the task
of arrestlng and Furnishing every one connected
with the fraudulent transaction.